Waldo Emerson Inn

Absolutely adorable and charming B&B. It’s very hard to find places like this. Extraordinarily eclectic. I highly recommend it. Katie

Decided to stay the night for a quick retreat to get away from the city life and see what Kennebunk was all about. Having never stayed at a Bed and Breakfast before I was worried about all types of things. Truly like staying with family. Mrs. Daamen was extremely informative about the Kennebunk area. The Daamen’s were wonderful. Ralph’s Library was a lovely room. Temperature in the shower was quite difficult to control. That was the only very minor set back. Quite happy with our stay. Interesting people and a fantastic breakfast!

We went in the off season, and I have to say, our stay was disappointing. We were informed that we were the only ones staying there, and since John and Kathy do not have a separate entrance and you walk through the kitchen to enter the B&B, there was very little privacy. My husband booked the yellow room since it’s marketed as a room honeymooners often book — why??? The room is small, the bathroom is teeny, and the fireplace had no logs in it /​near it. We were told to «ask for a log» if we wanted to use the fireplace, but when my husband went to find someone and ask for a log around 7 PM in the evening, no one was around. He tried again in a half hour, still no one. So much for that fire!
Kathy explained that breakfast is served at 8:30 PM, which was fine with us as we get up early. It sounded like she /​her husband wanted to sleep in, because the day before she was needling us to «sleep in» and suggesting doing breakfast later on. Basically, it was clear that we were not priority as the only guests… My «favorite» part is when we woke up to the smell of bacon, but no actual bacon was served for breakfast, not very hospitable. Finally, basic manners dictate no discussion of politics in social situations, but my husband got an earful from John at breakfast that he «doesn’t want to pay for those illegals to come here» — awkward, considering that we are immigrants ourselves and of fairly liberal values.
The place is very interesting for history buffs, and fairly clean, though I found some hair on my quilt that was definitely not mine or my husband’s, luckily I am not a germaphobe. I’ve stayed at a number of truly outstanding B&B’s, and this didn’t come close.

We stayed two nights in the Waldo Emerson B&B with our hosts Kathy and John Daamen. What a wonderful experience. This historical building is the oldest original building in Kennebunk. Located on Summer Street and easy drive to the downtown area fo Kennebunk. Kathy and John were consumate hosts. We stayed in the «Library» on the first floor. John is up early cooking a unique Danish breakfast. The inn was part of the «underground railway» during the civil war. Their personal antiques and photos are everywhere in the several connected public rooms.
This B&B is a must on your visit to Kennebunk. Their Quilt Shop adjoins the main building that has seven bedrooms.
A delight!

Truly wonderful stay!

We loved our stay at the Waldon Emerson — it was a very personal and lovely experience. John and Kathy really make you feel welcome, and the breakfasts are pretty darn good — not too fancy (a good thing, IMO), but filled with fresh and tasty ingredients. There’s always a big plate of fruit and the wonderful homemade granola. We stayed in the Yellow Room which was nice, although it had a very cramped restroom. Minor quibble, for certain. If I had one big wish it would have been for better AC in the room. We were apparently in Maine during some sort of heat wave, and I understand that’s not real typical of the area, though, so I understand the little window unit. There’s a small poodle in the house named Waldo who’s really well behaved and adorable. I may or may not have, but definitely did smuggle him some bacon in the morning. Shhhhh.
I would definitely stay here again if I came back to Maine — my family practically took over the inn and we all had a great experience. Thanks so much to John and Kathy for being wonderful

As part of the B&B Vets program, which gives veterans like myself, a free nights stay in a B&B, we were very gracious for there offer, which allows, us to get out of Boston, and relax for a night. Just as an aside, this is a National program, run on the night before Veterans day.
Called to make reservation, and you could here a warm voice on the other side of the phone, which made you want to leave for the B&B right away. We were not surprised when we arrived at 9:00pm. We were told to call if we were going to be later than 9:30pm on the arrival. We called from the Maine rest stop, to say we would be on site at approx. 9:00, and Kathy was very appreciative. When we arrived, we were greeted by John, who gave us a quick tour, of the B&B, with all the history. We had not eaten, so he gave us a map, with a suggestion of a restaurant that was still open at this hour.
Woke up in the morning, and had a great breakfast, with decent coffee. We bought some home made granola, which was part of the breakfast, and were on our way, after a couple of hugs from Kathy, and John.
Would love to come back.

John and Kathy were very good hosts. The Inn was nice and room was clean and comfortable. Convenient to Portland, ME, and Portsmouth, NH. We stayed three nights and enjoyed the experience.

Innkeepers, Kathy and John are wonderful hosts. We stayed for 2 nights over President’s Day weekend. We booked our room last-​minute and so we got the room right next to the front door. At first, we were concerned for our privacy and the noise of the door opening and closing… but it was really quiet and it felt very private. We had a fireplace in the room, which we lit both nights. The breakfasts were excellent: lots of fresh fruit — the best granola — John was pulling a big batch out of the oven as we arrived. We bought a bag to take home (they ship it anywhere). The only quibble I have with breakfast is protein. Even if it’s just a bowl of hard-​boiled eggs, it keeps you going more than lots of carbs. They did give sausages one day and bacon the next, but eggs are cheap and easy. The recommendations Kathy made for dining out were very good. John and Kathy run a great, family-​like B&B. Very clean, comfortable; very interesting history/​house tour. All in all, we’ll be back when in Kennebunk, next.